Friday 04 December 2015, Gaucin, sunny, calm air-light SE wind, 20C

A week has passed but nothing much has changed, at least weather-wise and bird-wise. The continuing presence of the 'Azores High' means that the clear, calm and warm days are still with us.
There was a singing Common Crossbill at the top of a Cypress tree opposite the petrol station on Monday morning and there have been several 'fly-over' sightings in the village during the week. There was a Hawfinch flying over Camino de Avedin on Wednesday afternoon and Common Chiffchaff can be found in many suitable trees in and around the village. A pair of Common Raven have been patrolling the outskirts of the village and there was a Tawny Owl calling above Camino de Avedin late yesterday evening.

The Sweet Chestnut trees are finally losing their leaves, but the autumnal feel is offset by the very early appearance of white blossom on some of the Almond trees in the area.

The Sweet Chestnut trees finally looking autumnal